This UK crossover outfits commercial breakthrough in the early 90s was the result of both sustained hard work and an original talent. Their line-up revolved around three women and three men: Rob Birch (Robert Charles Birch, 11 June 1961, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, England; vocals), Nick The Head Hallam (b. 11 June 1962, Nottingham, England; synthesizers,
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Manchester, Englands finest acid music combo of the early 90s was founded by Martin Price (26 March 1955, England), owner of the citys influential Eastern Bloc record shop, and Graham Massey (b. 4 August 1960, Manchester, Lancashire, England; ex-Biting Tongues), who had previously worked in a café opposite the shop. Together with Gerald Simpson, they began
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U.N.K.L.E. is the recording name originally employed by James Lavelle (1974, Oxford, England) of leading UK hip-hop label, Mo Wax Records, and American turntablist DJ Shadow (b. Josh Davis, 1 January 1973, Hayward, California, USA). Their Psyence Fiction set was released amid a blaze of hype and publicity in September 1998, debuting at number 4 on the UK album chart an
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From the ashes of the moderately successful Alone Again Or in 1986, the Shamen had a profound effect upon contemporary pop music over the next half decade. Formed in Aberdeen by Colin Angus (24 August 1961, Aberdeen, Scotland; bass), Peter Stephenson (b. 1 March 1962, Ayrshire, Scotland), Keith McKenzie (b. 30 August 1961, Aberdeen, Scotland) and Derek McKenzie (b. 27 Februa
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Since 1987 the KLF (Kopyright Liberation Front) have operated under a series of guises, only gradually revealing their true nature to the public at large. Their principal spokesman is Bill Drummond (William Butterworth, 29 April 1953, South Africa), who had already enjoyed a chequered music industry career. As co-founder of the influential Zoo label in the late 70s, he intro
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Based in Leeds, England, Nightmares On Wax began as a duo of George Evelyn (DJ EASE) and Kevin Harper. In the early 80s, Evelyn spent time breakdancing with the Soul City Rockers, alongside future members of Unique 3, and as Nightmares On Wax he began DJing with Harper at parties and then clubs in the mid-80s. At they same time they recorded three tracks, Let It Roll
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Adrian Thaws, 27 January 1968, Knowle West, Bristol, England. One of the leading exponents of the trip-hop genre, Tricky began his musical career in the late 80s as a member of an informal crew of MCs, DJs and singers based in Bristol and known as the Wild Bunch. This collective eventually mutated into the pioneering Massive Attack, with Tricky contributing guest raps to
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Alpha is the Bristol, UK-based partnership of Corin Dingley and Andy Jenks. Signed to Massive Attacks label, Melankolic, they share their fellow Bristolians Portisheads passion for atmospheric obscure film soundtracks and emotive singers, such as Jacques Brel and Scott Walker. Other interests that manifest themselves in their music are traditional US songwrite
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Since the mid-80s the UK duo of ex-art teacher Jonathon Moore and computer programmer Matt Black have been responsible for a number of important innovations in the dance music arena. Like DJ Steinski, they realized the creative potential of sampling records, television, Walt Disney sounds and other non-musical sources, and in 1987 made their first records, Say Kids What T
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This UK electronica duo comprises Tom Findlay (Cambridge, England; bass, trumpet, keyboards, sampler) and Andy Cato (b. Andrew Cocup, Yorkshire, England; trombone, keyboards, bass). Cato, a 6 feet 8 inches tall Yorkshireman, grew up playing in a colliery brass band and listening to disco music, such as that by Earth, Wind And Fire, and he also won the UKs Young Jazz Mu
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Purveyors of charismatic dance music, Fluke are both a stand-alone musical project and a mixing house for others. The combo was formed by Mike Bryant (Michael James Bryant, 1 May 1960, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England), Michael Tournier (b. Michael James Tournier, 24 May 1963, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England) and Jonathan Fugler (b. 13 October 1962, St Austell,
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Based in Romford, Essex, England, Underworld arose from the ashes of indie pop band Freur in the late 80s. The original line-up featured Karl Hyde (10 May 1957, Worcester, Worcestershire, England; guitar/vocals), Rick Smith (b. Richard Smith, 25 May 1959, Ammanford, Wales; keyboards), Baz Allen (keyboards), Alfie Thomas (guitar) and Bryn Burrows (drums). Their debut album as
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